Posts Tagged ‘Candy’

Described as “the true blue Willy Wonka,” “eccentric,” an “oddball,” and a “savant,” David Klein, I recently found out, is all of these things, and more.

David Klein is the inventor of Jelly Belly jelly beans, and he’s got quite a story. Last week, I talked with David about his new documentary, Candyman: The David Klein Story, produced by his son and daughter-in-law. I’d been hoping to see this film, which chronicles David’s Jelly Belly journey, so I felt like I won a first prize when he offered to send me a copy.

So far, I’ve watched this feature-length film twice. It’s quirky and a little addicting. Ellia Kassoff, the owner of Astro Pops, LLC, says he’s watched it four times.

I am drawn to this film because David is a walking candy Wikipedia. If I were writing a historical piece on the industry, he’d be the first guy I’d call. Ask David a question about a candy brand and he’ll tell you when it was invented, the company that manufactured it, when the brand changed hands, and the people behind it all.

I am also drawn to this film because of David’s character. He is wacky (he writes all of his notes on paper plates) and would probably drive you nuts if he were your dad, but he’s got a heart of gold and an entrepreneurial spirit that trumps The Donald’s.

I’m no film critic, so I won’t go into details about the film (see the Candy Professor’s review), but I will share a few good takeaways I got from my call with the Candyman:

- From the beginning, David sold jelly beans as individual flavors. “If I only sold an assorted box, I’d only have one spot in the store. By forcing retailers to buy single flavors, I got much more shelf space.”

- David got the idea for intensely and realistically flavored jelly beans while watching “Happy Days.” He got the idea for the brand name, “Jelly Belly” while watching “Sanford and Son.”

I’m a bit late on this announcement (winner will still receive a 5% discount), but the winner of the “What would you do with a $25 Candy.com Gift Certificate” contest is Marie Jarriel Byd. Congratulations Marie!

On Facebook, Marie posted, “If I won a $25 Candy.com gift certificate I’d buy a box of Sugar Free Colbalt Gum for my three daughters. They’re always running out of gum. With the remainder I’d buy myself a Box of Salt Water Taffy. Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!”

So sweet!

Marie, hope your girls enjoy Wrigley’s 5 gum, you get a big box of salt water taffy, and that your family also has a wonderful holiday season.

Thanks to everyone who participated in this contest and all of your comments. Candy.com fans are pretty amazing, thoughtful people.